Healthy Energy: Effects of Healthy and Unhealthy Foods

Energy fuels, builds, and repairs the body’s internal functions, all while maintaining cells and body tissues. Energy also supports the external activities that enable us to interact with the physical world. Where do we get energy from? This energy comes from the food we eat. Our bodies digest the food we eat by mixing it with fluids (acids and enzymes) in the stomach. Depending on what you eat, you may have gained a lot of energy. Eating unhealthily, however, could actually tank your energy.

Firstly, it’s important to note that eating healthy isn’t just for managing weight. Certain diets have been studied and have been linked to creating certain moods and emotions. A typical Western diet filled with processed meats, packaged meals, takeout food, and sugary snacks were linked to higher rates of depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. These foods can also play a role in the development of certain mental health disorders, such as ADHD. Contrastingly, eating fresher foods, such as fruits and vegetables or even cooking at home, can help improve your mood and lower those risk. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may also reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. None have cholesterol.

Unhealthy Foods

There are certain types of energy that should be avoided. For one, beverages like soda and juice have added sugar, which is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Sugar, when consumed in large amounts, is associated with various serious diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Pizza is bad for you despite its great taste. The dough is refined wheat flour, and the meats on them are usually processed, making it high in calories. Refined vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil and canola oil, have raised many concerns. They have also been linked to increased risk of cancer.

Healthy Foods

One lemon has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones. Lemon also tastes great on fish, which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids; omega-3s have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, heart disease, and cancer. Other great sources of nutrition beans, peas, and lentil; eating a serving of them four times a week can lower your risk of heart disease by 22 percent. And let’s not forget about the trending avocado. They’re popular for a reason. According to one study, avocados – rich in healthy fats – lower cholesterol by about 22 percent. One avocado has more than half the fiber and 40 percent of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease

Eating the right food is key to living a healthy lifestyle. Another key component to remaining healthy is having great healthcare. Talk to an agent today to see if your current health insurance plan meets your needs. Don’t have health insurance? Our licensed representatives can help you!

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